This is a signature drink of the KV class (Aged Cognac) of the Izberbash wine and cognac factory in Dagestan. The enterprise with an annual turnover of 2,5 billion rubles is one of the three leaders of the Dagestan cognac market.
Historical reference. The Izberbashsky distillery was built in the 50s and produced dry and dessert wines for the first three decades. And in the 90s, the enterprise was reconstructed, modernized and created a new direction – cognac, which soon became the main one.
Spacious production workshops, modern equipment, its own laboratory equipped with the latest science that controls all stages of the technological process – these are the features that distinguish Izberbashsky from most Dagestan factories.
Izberbash cognacs are made from Dagestan cognac spirits aged for at least three years. While they are little known outside of Russia, the products are supplied to many regions of the country, and the company cooperates with large retail chains.
According to the National Alcohol Association, the Izberbashsky distillery is one of the top five brands on the Russian cognac market.
During the season, the factory processing shop copes with ten thousand tons of grapes.
Up to 10 tons of cognac distillates are produced per day in the cognac distillates workshop, 100 thousand decalitres (in one decalit 10 liters) mature in oak barrels and 300 thousand – in enameled tanks with oak staves immersed in alcohol. Tannins are actively extracted from oak into alcohol, providing the necessary shades of taste, color and aroma.
Cognac is delivered to 50 regions of Russia.
Attention – fake!
In 2015, the Federal Service for the Regulation of the Alcohol Market of Russia re-licensed all enterprises in the alcohol industry. Of the 22 Dagestan factories, only 10 received a license for the production, storage and supply of produced alcoholic beverages. At the same time, the number of counterfeit drinks, including the falsified Izberbash, increased. On the website of Izberbashsky CJSC there is a warning for all fans of the brand and several rules for determining the authenticity of the drink:
- “Izberbash” is packed in a black gift box with a label indicating the date of manufacture.
- There is a bulge in the wall of the bottle – the emblem of the plant, and on the bottom – the name of the cognac.
- The cork of a genuine drink is cortical, covered with a black film.
- There are no alcohol notes in the aroma of the drink.
- The consistency of this drink is slightly viscous – if the bottle is tilted and then leveled, stains will remain on the wall.
Tasting features of cognac “Izberbash”
The blend consists of cognac spirits aged from six to eight years. After the assemblage, the spirits are aged for another year (“married”) in oak barrels made of wood slightly burned inside. The fortress of cognac is slightly higher than the traditional one – 42%.
The color of the drink is bright, dark amber, with reddish reflections. The complex, balanced aroma contains sweet floral and tart woody notes. The taste is spicy, with hints of cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Warming aftertaste of medium duration with hints of dark chocolate and pepper.
Despite the fact that cognacs are usually recommended as digestifs, independent drinks that do not require snacks, Izberbash is served not only with coffee, fruits and chocolate. According to the Dagestan tradition, cognac can be served with hard cheeses, cold meats, fish and even vegetable dishes. But it pairs best with white grapes and sweet and sour apples.
